Controllable Energy Store for Reliable Motor Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional energy storage systems in electric vehicles and wind turbines face reliability issues due to the series connection of battery cells, where a single cell failure can lead to system failure, and integrating battery modules with variable DC voltage into conventional energy networks is challenging.

Innovation Solution

A controllable energy store with n parallel energy supply branches, each with series-connected energy storage modules and coupling units, supplies an electrical machine and includes a second energy store for DC voltage supply, using a charger with an n-phase rectifier unit, intermediate circuit capacitor, and DC-DC converters to adapt voltage levels, ensuring reliable power distribution and efficient charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If battery cells are connected in series to achieve high voltage, then the voltage requirement is met, but system reliability deteriorates because a single cell failure causes complete system failure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevoltageVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The energy store is divided into multiple independent energy supply branches, each capable of operating autonomously. When one branch fails, others continue to supply power, preventing complete system failure while maintaining high voltage through series connection within each branch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the configuration parameter of energy storage modules by using controllable coupling units that can switch modules between series and parallel connections, allowing adaptation of voltage and current characteristics while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If additional battery cells are connected in parallel to increase maximum current, then current capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaximum currentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy store is segmented into multiple energy supply branches with series-connected modules. Each branch independently contributes to current capability, eliminating the need for extensive parallel connections while maintaining high current output through coordinated operation of multiple branches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controllable coupling units serve multiple functions: they enable series connection for voltage, parallel connection for current, and provide isolation capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a separate inverter is used to control the electrical machine, then machine control capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine control capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter function is merged with the energy store by integrating controllable coupling units directly into the battery modules. This combination eliminates the need for a separate inverter while maintaining full machine control capability, as the coupling units can generate the required phase signals for the electrical machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controllable coupling units perform multiple functions simultaneously: they isolate or connect battery modules, generate inverter output signals for machine control, and enable bidirectional energy flow. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate inverter hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If battery modules with variable DC voltage are integrated into conventional energy supply networks, then adaptability is improved, but integration difficulty increases due to voltage variability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork integration capabilityVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts its voltage characteristics by controlling the coupling units to switch between series and parallel configurations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the battery modules to provide variable DC voltage that can be optimized for different network integration scenarios and power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controllable coupling units enable real-time changes in electrical parameters (voltage, current, impedance) of the battery modules. This parameter adaptability facilitates seamless integration into conventional energy supply networks by allowing the system to match network requirements while maintaining internal optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides reliable AC voltage for motor operation, generates DC voltage for consumers with minimal hardware, and maintains constant power flow, enhancing system reliability and integration with existing networks.

Implementation Method 1

the charging device (11) has an n-phase rectifier unit (12), which has n parallel rectifier branches, which are each connected to an energy supply branch (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) and the associated phase (U, V, W) of the electrical machine (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification:

Implementation Method 2

an intermediate circuit capacitor (13), which is connected downstream of the rectifier unit (12) and is fed from it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

a DC-DC converter (14), which is connected downstream of the intermediate circuit capacitor (13) and adapts a first voltage level of the intermediate circuit capacitor (13) to a second voltage level of the second energy store (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2619874B1System for charging an energy store, and method for operating the charging system
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2619874B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2619874B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2619874B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a power supply system comprising an n-phase electric machine, where n =1, and a controllable first energy store (2) used for controlling and supplying electric power to the electric machine (1). The first energy store (2) has n parallel power supply branches (3-1, 3-2, 3-3), each of which has at least two serially connected energy storage modules (4). Each energy storage module comprises at least one electric power cell (5) having an associated controllable coupling unit (6) and is connected to a reference bus (T-) and to one respective phase (U, V, W) of the electric machine (1). The coupling units (6) bridge the associated power cells (5) or connect the associated power cells (5) to the power supply branch (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) in accordance with control signals. The power supply system also comprises a second energy store (9; 9') which can supply DC voltage to electric consumers (10; 10'). A charging device (11) for the second energy store (9; 9') is connected to the power supply branches (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) of the first energy store (2) and the phases (U, V, W) of the electric machine (1) at the input end while being connected to the second energy store (9; 9') at the output end.